DISCHARGE

can be complex for patients with disability.

The A2D folder can smooth the process.

Organising

Watch how the use of the A2D Together Folder helped Bruce receive the best possible care after a fall at home. Health services staff from first responders, hospital admission right through to discharge, all use the folder to deliver better care and a better health outcome for Bruce.

Find out how the A2D folder can help improve your health experience

In Easy English

Discover how the A2D Together Folder can help you when you are sick or in hospital.

For Disability Staff

“When we go anywhere for our health, it goes with us! ”

Developed in partnership by Family and Community Services (Disability) at South East Sydney District, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Carer Program, and Metro-Regional Intellectual Disability Network (MRID)

Bruce has had a fall…

Bruce has taken a tumble and the paramedics have been called.
Watch this video to see the A2D Together Folder in action.

The A2D Together Folder helps transfer Bruce’s information from home to the paramedics and then onto the hospital staff.

Bruce’s TOP 5 includes information about how he communicates, and helps the hospital staff look after Bruce and provide person centred care.

The A2D Together Folder provides nursing and medical staff with important information about current medications and treatments.

Bruce’s TOP 5 highlights his special diet needs to reduce his risk of choking.

The A2D Together Folder helps hospital staff speak to Bruce’s Disability Support Staff and plan ahead for his discharge.

The A2D Together Folder returns home with Bruce, is updated if required and then is ready to accompany Bruce if he goes to hospital again.

“For people with intellectual disability and those who support them, the hospital journey is often complex and stressful. The A2D website is a high quality resource with significant capacity to improve this journey for people with intellectual disability. It contains extensive information for the person, carers, health professionals and disability workers which will assist in the collation of a practical resource folder. This resource is a catalyst for substantial practical changes in the way in which the person, their carers, health and disability professionals interact and exchange information. These practical changes are further supported by a rich collation of training materials which promote improved healthcare for people with intellectual disability. The A2D team are to be congratulated for this ground breaking work.This resource should be routinely used as a fundamental aid to hospitalisations of people with intellectual disability in Australia.”

What makes up the A2D Together Folder?

Below are elements from the four parts of the A2D Together Folder. Click through the slides to read about what information is in each section of the folder. Click on the find out more buttons for more information about each one.

The A2D Together Folder - Front Cover

Record the person’s name and attach a photo of the person when they are well.

Record the name and contact details of the of the person's legal Guardian or Person Responsible.

This tells the medical staff about the person’s current medications and helps them order medications for the person while they are in hospital.

TOP5 - Tips for support

The TOP 5 helps the staff caring for the person in hospital be aware of the persons specific needs.

TOP 5 is a tool to provide care tips and unique information about the person you care for, to assist care staff to better understand the person and his/her needs. These include communication abilities, their likes and dislikes, rituals and triggers.

This provides current and relevant medical information to the hospital staff when caring for the person with a disability. It supports early discharge planning to commence when they are admitted to hospital.

A user’s perspective

Listen to Anne Funke, NSW Carer of the Year 2014, talk about how the A2D Together Folder has made life with her son Mitchell (who has Angelman Syndrome) a lot easier when visiting hospital.

“I feel more relaxed knowing that if I am not by Mitchell’s side, nursing staff and doctors will understand his specific needs.”

“All his information is in one central spot.”

“Having the A2D Together Folder means that the journey for us, for him and for the staff is a lot smoother.”

“When people not used to speaking out are heard by people not used to listening then real change is made”

John O’Brien – Pioneer and advocate of person-centred planning

What training resources are available
for the A2D Together Folder and its use?

Clinical Staff Training

One hour Power Point presentation (with facilitators notes) available to NSW Health Professionals and Disability Support Services who may wish to run education sessions for clinical staff

Topics covered:

The challenges a person with an intellectual disability may experience when they go to hospital

The rights of a person with disability to access the same standard of care as all Australians

Purpose and benefits of the A2D Together Folder.

What patient-centred care means and how personal values and attitudes may impact on the support provided.

Note: It is recommended that the education session provided be co-facilitated by a representative from both the Health and Disability Sectors.

Training Resources for Disability Support Staff

The “Going to Hospital” training package is available to any NSW Disability Service provider wishing to train disability support staff in implementing the A2D Together Folder and to enhance the skills and knowledge of the Disability Support Staff. This training is designed to be facilitated in a 2-3 hour session.

Topics covered:

NSW Ombudsman report into preventing deaths of people with disability in care

Improving the hospital journey for a person with an intellectual disability.

QUICK LINKS

OUR TEAM

CONTACTS

The Admission2Discharge (A2D) Together Project was developed to improve the hospital experiences of people with a cognitive impairment, their carers, families and disability support staff. Through improved communication and sharing of relevant and current information, hospital staff are better equipped to meet the needs of people with a cognitive impairment.

If you want more information about the A2D Together Project contact us here.